22Nd Annual Chicago Irish Film Festival MAR 4—8, 2021 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

22nd Annual Chicago Irish Film Festival MAR 4—8, 2021 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

If there was one word to describe this year’s festival, it is perspective; how do we see things and what do we really know? And looking at the elephant in the room named Covid, we all know our perspectives have changed. And when I watched this year’s program of films my perspective on a number of issues and historical events changed over and over again and I wanted to personally thank every filmmaker that afforded me the opportunity to see things in a new light: the real power of film. This year’s festival covers a wild west of topics, from the emerging art scene in 1930’s Ireland to a twist of fate and a deflected assassin’s bullet in 1936 Italy. We see all sorts of family dynamics; the good, the bad and the totally uncomfortable. There are films that will make you want to close your eyes before you jump, but you’ll look anyway and films that are so stunningly beautiful you’d like to frame the images so you never forget how magical movies can be. Of course, one of the things I most love about the festival is hanging out with our donors and sponsors, our dedicated festival goers and the wonderful filmmakers that have journeyed to Chicago each year to share their film; the true festival experience. But this year I am grateful to our streaming platform that helped us keep the festival going and will also allow this year’s amazing group of films and special partnership programs find new audiences outside our geographic footprint. I am also beyond grateful to both the advisory and programming committees and all the festival staff that not only looked forward to what could be in 2021, but created a festival built on collaboration and unwavering support in this new world of virtual presentation. So, whether you like to watch with popcorn and soda, ice cream and pretzels, nachos and beer or wine and chocolate thank you for coming to the 22nd Chicago Irish Film Festival, I truly hope you enjoy every minute.

Jude Blackburn Festival Director

2 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com CULTURAL SPONSORS & PARTNERS

The Chicago Irish Film Festival would like to thank and acknowledge our sponsors and partners. Without their generous support, the 22nd Chicago Irish Film Festival would not be possible.

Presenting Sponsors

Cultural Sponsors

Cultural Grants Immigrant Support Program of Ireland | Culture Ireland | Irish Fellowship—Chicago

Our Program Partners

Watch Film Trailers | Purchase Tickets

3 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM

The Edge of Chaos is Sam Uhlemann’s When their alcoholic daughter Carrie, compelling debut feature, where he attempts to, blackmail her father, Derek, explores the consequences of traumatic over his corrupt business practices, she family secrets that no one has mentioned, doesn’t realize the consequences her let alone resolved, in decades. The film actions will bring. For the first time in follows the well-respected and wealthy years the family must come together as Kennan family, whose members spend one and it is only when they accept their as little time as possible with each other own failings that they finally find their despite having shared business dealings. way back together.

“A modern-day Greek tragedy with a gut-wrenching performance by Aoibhinn McGinnity.” “A thoroughly compelling, shocking and evocative thriller.“ —danwebbwrites.com “An emotional rollercoaster of epic proportions.”

4 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM

The Evening Redness in the South is an Presented as an expanding collage of entirely dialogue-free dramatic feature images and scenes and sounds gathered film that follows several workers on a from the worksite the film is a masterpiece building site as their daily work and family of silent film. Winner of more than twenty lives becomes infused with their deepest awards worldwide for experimental film, memories, dreams, anxieties, and desires. directing and cinematography.

“A piece of cinema verity…a fascinating film whose imagery will stay with you and whose director will go on to greater things.” —Screencritix.com “’I would implore viewers to experience this film at some point in their life, even if it’s just to acknowledge that movies like this exist’” —Film Threat “True artistry, heart-tugging sentiments and important life lessons.” —onefilmfan “A film which truly elevates the art of filmmaking.” —ukfilmreview

5 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM

This screening available in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin only.

Ola barely knew her dad, who’s been importantly the money he’d saved for her gone since she was young, working at a car. Although street smart and self-assured, construction site in Ireland. But he promised Ola not only finds herself up against a her a car for her upcoming 18th birthday ruthless bureaucracy, but she must also and that’s all that really matters and all navigate an emotional rollercoaster as she the proof she needs to believe that he discovers the truth about his life in Ireland. loves her. When news of his death arrives A bittersweet coming-of-age drama that from the Dublin, Ola sets out from Poland explores the perplexity of family bonds to retrieve her father’s body and more and the cost of separation.

“A moving drama, filled with black humor and empathy, that would make Ken Loach proud.” —Cineuropa “A moving, raw, and beautifully paced film…with a gritty, true-to-life tone that digs deep into the personal experiences of its young female protagonist.” —amplifyfilm.uk

6 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM

Phil Sheerin’s feature debut is a taunt triller Holly, a beguiling teenager and her very set on the edges of Sligo. Tom and his protective dad who has a sinister edge to mom, Elaine, forced to leave the UK, are match the landscape. When Tom stumbles trying to settle into an old family farmhouse on a floating sack in a nearby seasonal on the outskirts of town with little success. lake and finds human remains inside the Silent and sullen Tom takes to roaming discovery sets into motion a series of the fields around his house , collecting the harrowing events. As unspeakable secrets bones of dead animals, while his mom ends float to the surface all four lives will be everyday trying to drink away the reality changed forever, and Tom will be forced of their situation. Across the fields are to confront the harsh truths of adulthood.

“Irish darkness on the edge of town…a damp-in-the-bones psychological thriller.” —RTE “Water cannot conceal the past or wash away the guilt in this tense atmospheric Irish family drama set in a rain-sodden Sligo.” —Screen Daily

7 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM

Ireland’s submission to the 2021 Academy Awards.

ARRACHT Director: Tom Sullivan | Writer: Tom Sullivan | Producers: Cúán Mac Conghail Key Cast: Dónall Ó Héalaí, Saise Ní Chuinn, Dara Devaney, Michael McElhatton, Peter Coonan, Seán T. Ó Meallaigh | Cinematography: Kate McCullough Music: Kila | 2020, 86 mins | Trailer | Tickets Ireland, 1845 on the eve of The Great visit the English Landlord’s house to request Hunger. Colmán Sharkey, a fisherman, a a stay on rent increases that Colmán knows father, a husband, takes in a stranger will destroy his community. His request falls at the behest of a local priest. Patsy, a on deaf ears and Patsy’s subsequent actions former soldier in the Napoleonic wars set Colmán on a path that will take him to arrives just ahead of ‘the blight,’ a disease the edge of survival, and sanity. Then one that eventually wipes out the country’s day he meets a young girl, Kitty, who looks potato crop, contributing to the death and to Colmán for food and shelter and Colmán displacement of millions. As the crops rot finds in Kitty a reason to live. in the fields, Colmán, his brother and Patsy

“An immersive thriller and affecting drama from start to finish…a stirring achievement that stays with you long after viewing” —Entertainment.ie “A character study of one man’s humanity in the face of grief, but it echoes the wider trauma of a nation that was decimated by hunger.” —EyeForFilm-UK

8 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY

Narrated by Liam Neeson.

THE HUNGER Director: Ruan Magan | Writer: Ruan Magan | Producers: Patricia Carroll, Colm Crowley, Laurent Filliung, John Fitzgerald | Narration: Liam Neeson | Key Cast: Sibeal Ni Chasaide, Tim Creed, Nick Dunning, Marty Rea | Cinematography: Brian O’Leahy Editor: Keith Walsh | Music: Natasha Paulberg | 2020, 90 mins | Trailer | Tickets 175 years ago Europe was struck by a two million emigrated. Ireland today is the devastating famine. The food crisis was only country in the western world with a triggered when a deadly fungus escaped population lower than it had in the 1840s. from South America and destroyed the potato Featuring compelling interviews with some crops. 100,000 people died of starvation of the world’s leading historians, first-hand and disease in France, Belgium, Holland, accounts from witnesses and survivors and Scotland and the Kingdom of Prussia. But in rare archive materials, The Hunger sets out to Ireland, where half the population relied on reveal the extraordinary and appalling story the potato as their main source of food, the of one of the worst humanitarian disasters of impact was even more extreme. One million the C19th century, one that continues to have people died and between 1845 and 1855, relevance to us today.

“A compelling, harrowing, informative documentary.” —The Irish Post “It is important that we commemorate such a significant event and honor those who lost their lives.” —Independent.ie

9 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY

A CALL TO ARTS Director: Christopher Kepple | Producer: Cormac O’Malley Key Cast: Ross McClean | Editor: Bronte Stahl 2020, 84 mins | Trailer | Tickets

The life and legacy of an extraordinary Cormac interviews historians, arts couple, the Connecticut-born artist Helen commentators and people who knew Hooker and her husband, Irish revolutionary his parents, to discover the political and and historian Ernie O’Malley, is explored cultural impact of their endeavors. by their son Cormac O’Malley. The couple A Call to Arts was made through the made major contributions to a modernist collaboration of Glucksman Ireland House arts scene in a newly independent Ireland at NYU, NYC, NY; Gallery of Photography, in the 1930s and ‘40s: she was involved in Dublin, Ireland; National Library of Ireland, sculpture, theatre and photography; while Dublin, Ireland; and Greenwich Historical he made a living as an author, writing Society, Cos Cob, CT. extensively about his role in the Irish War of independence and Civil War.

“An intimate portrait of a couple who made it their life’s work to see Ireland not for how it was, but for what it could become.”

10 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY

Tomorrow is Saturday is an intimate, As Sean attempts to declutter and make fascinating portrait of Irish collage artist sense of his floor to ceiling collection of Sean Hillen—a brilliant, complex, unruly living history in time for the arrival of the mind hemmed in behind a lifetime’s love of his life – a woman he’s never met, collection of hoarded junk, unfinished art, he shares his memories of a childhood and precious memories at his tiny Dublin in Newry in the shadow of the Troubles, terraced home. a photography career cut short by Diagnosed with Aspergers in his late 50s, censorship and the evolution of his Sean has reached the point where his unique photomontage style. mental state and physical surroundings have brought his creativity to a halt.

“Among the best Irish films of the year.” —The Irish Times “I could have disappeared from history; it is only in the last few years that I have committed to hang on for grim death. I will not be defeated.” —Sean Hillen

11 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY

This screening available in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin only.

VIOLET GIBSON, THE IRISH WOMAN WHO SHOT MUSSOLINI Director: Barrie Dowdall, Kevin de la Isla O’Neill | Writers: Barrie Dowdall, Kevin de la Isla O’Neill, Siobhan Lynam | Key Cast: Olwen Fouéré, Padraig Cullen, Michael Heavy, Siobhan Lynam, Laura Kelly | Cinematography: Jass Foley | Editing: Kevin de la Isla O’Neill | Music: Sarah Caitriona Lynch | 2020, 117 mins | Trailer | Tickets One day in April, 1926, three years into on Mussolini. She was a committed anti- Benito Mussolini’s fascist rule of Italy, he was fascist, had intensively studied Mussolini’s making a speech to a crowd of supporters movements, and clearly had some kind of in Rome when a woman stepped out of the help in her assassination attempt. crowd, produced a pistol, and shot him at After being returned to England to avoid a point-blank range. Mussolini’s head turned public trail in Italy, Gibson spent the rest of as she did so, and the bullet grazed his nose. life in St. Andrews Hospital in Northampton, She fired again, but the gun jammed. the same hospital James Joyce’s daughter The woman was Violet Gibson, born in would later be committed to and died in Dalkey and raised in aristocratic splendor 1956. Violet Gibson was written off as a on Merrion Square, Dublin, daughter of the lone “madwoman”, committed to an asylum Lord Chancellor. Gibson came the closest for the rest of her life, and effectively written to success of the four assassination attempts out of history.

“One woman’s willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the world.” “If a man had done this, there’d probably be a statue of him.”

12 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? Director: Matthew Nevin | Writer: Matthew Nevin | Producers: Matthew Nevin, Ciara Scanlan, Katriona Woods, Katherine Nolan, Jenny Minniti-Shippey, Bernard O’Rouke | Editor: Jack Toibin Music: Craig Stuart Garfinkle Featured Vocalist: Nella | 2020, 70 mins | Trailer | Tickets A curated selection of unrehearsed video By removing the participant’s ability to responses to the title question, What prepare in advance the film presents is Going to Happen Next?, put to one its audience with a series of natural person in every country around the world, responses and a variety of behavioral 203 sovereign states as defined by the nuances within an international cultural United Nations. To initiate a genuinely context. By showcasing participants’ unplanned answer to the title question, choice in visual setting, manner, and the participants were not informed of practice of participating, along with a the question in advance. Instead, the series of complex personal, social, and participants were asked to record political responses, the film attempts to themselves reading the question and give voice to the incredible diversity of were given just two minutes to respond. our planet’s population.

“An ambitious documentary the showcases the diversity and complexity of humanity.” “An eclectic pool of participants with a broad view of our personal and global futures.”

13 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 1

Somewhere—Sometime Lions and tiger and bears? No! But there is a homicidal bull, a crow funeral, an internet influencer gone mad and a guy that is actually trying to fly over the rainbow. Trailers | Tickets

BALLAST HOW TO ROB A I LIKE CHICKEN BUT WITCH I DON’T LIKE THAT Jesse Gilbert Liam Fahy Sophie Quin 15:56 mins 5:30 mins 5:58 mins Beset by grief a man builds A brother and sister find an Set in rural Ireland, a himself the means to escape elderly witch living beneath woman recalls the events the pains of his existence. a wishing well deep in the and emotions surrounding woods. Why wish for riches the murder of her pet when you can rob witches? rooster by a wild fox.

SISTER THIS BRUTE MOURNING MURDER Claire Byrnre9:00 mins Brian Folan Liam Fahy Struggling financially and 14:48 mins 1:00 min doing everything they can A young mother and A short one-minute film to survive, two sisters argue, her son flee an abusive about a group of crows but realize the last thing husband in the middle of the holding a funeral for a they can afford is shame. night only to find themselves dead friend. Winner of the Aer Lingus trapped in their car in a Discovery—2020. field with a homicidal bull.

14 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 1

60 DAYS THE FINAL OF HELL PERFORMANCE Sohaila Lindheim David J Phillips 3:55 mins 3:00 mins Inside the life and A man gives his all in a Vote for the mind of Irish Director performance in front of Audience Sohaila Lindheim as she a captive audience. Award! experiences Covid-19 during a lockdown. HOW TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SHORTS! Everyone who has an individual ticket or a pass for this year’s amazing Shorts BITCH OPERATOR Programs 1–5 will be able to vote for their Darragh Moran Jonathan Hughes favorite short. Just click 13:00 mins 11: 0 4 m i n s the stars below the film Becky dreams of being an A self-obsessed call-center title you want to vote internet sensation. But, after worker deals with personal for, submit your vote a video of her seemingly heartbreak while on shift as and we have all the causing the death of her the world crumbles around results tallied up at the best friend goes viral, she him...due to a zombie close of the festival. becomes infamous. What apocalypse. Voting is only available will Becky do? on a mobile device not on your TV. Watch our social media pages to find out the 2021 audience award Winners!

15 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 2

Desperate Measures Quarantines, family confrontations, a runaway bride and bad weather create some interesting situations. Trailers | Tickets

STAY SAFE, STAY THE COST YOU HOME, STAY SANE? BLOCKS NOTHING Nick Hales Gareth Gowran Patricia Kelly 3:05 mins 10:19 mins 10:15 mins The slow decline of a Life through the eyes and A mother’s fractious worker over lockdown. A hearts of girls in Dublin sixty relationship with her son story that may, or may not years ago sharing happy disintegrates when she echo my own days of the childhood memories mixed cannot accept the man Covid pandemic in front with the worries and fears of he has become. of the computer screen... adult life that are bigger than any child’s ability to cope.

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE CIÚNAS (SILENCE) THE LUCKY MAN IN A PANDEMIC Tristan Heanue Lochlann Dowd Michael-David McKernan 12:35 mins 15:00 mins 10:40 mins A couple embark on a In an old rural Irish pub A romance accelerates journey in the midst of in the middle of nowhere, dramatically against the a family crisis. a lonely simple-minded backdrop of the pandemic barman’s brief encounter as two filmmakers who met with a difficult customer on-line are forced to move highlights his need for in together; and it all connection. began in Chicago!

16 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 2

LOCKDOWN ASCENDING LUCKY UPSIDE DOWN GRACE Barbara Soares Claire Bryne Abaigeal Collins 1:00 min 11:06 mins 2:14 mins Lockdown in Dublin— First officer Maedhbh has A small four-leaf clover a teeny tiny doc in 60 high hopes for her first day named Lucky is companion seconds. of work, but when she fails to an old Irish man in to impress Captain Cara and downtown Chicago, but with a cabin full of restless there are some things that passengers, it’s far from what luck just can’t fix. she expected...

CONGRATULATIONS! 2021 CONSULATE OF IRELAND AWARD NOMINEES CROOKED David J Phillips Established to honor a short film that captures Ireland, 6:18 mins it’s spirit, history, or culture. The winner will be selected A policeman is looking by the current Consul General of Ireland—Chicago, for a mob informant within Mr. Kevin Byrne. This year’s nominees represent a his team. moment in Irish sport’s history, Irish adventure, a lost Irish heritage, Irish folklore, and faith in Irish luck. Spoiler: It’s obviously Frankie. And the nominees are: • An Irish Underdog Story • The Fisherman • The Mountain Keg • Lucky • At Heart and Soul

17 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 3

All in a Day On any given day we can find courage, take a risk, or accomplish something no one has before. Here are eight shorts that all picked a day. Trailers | Tickets

THE LONG SUMMER- WE DON’T THE WEST KERRY STILL TO COME? CHOOSE HOW COWBOY David Simmons Natasha Waugh Cian O’Connor 2:00 mins 15:58 mins 17:57 mins A short film tribute to the A homeless artist struggles Big Mac and his dad Frank late James Simmons, the with a tragic loss, and uses live in the heart of West well-known Irish poet and his talent to overcome grief. Kerry. After his mother’s songwriter. death, Big Mac falls into a secretive world. On the day of her anniversary, Big Mac has a confession to make.

CHRISTY BACK HOME PADDY’S DAY ‘90 Brendan Canty Luca Di Bartolo Jonny Farrelly 14:55 mins 1:00 min 1:00 min A 16-year-old school- How big is our vital space? A mini documentary dropout interviews for a What shapes, sounds and animation celebrating the job, but when he’s let down colors can it acquire? ‘All Ireland Final Day’ on by his brother he lashes St. Patrick’s Day 1990. back and looks to his friends for support.

18 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 3

THE MOUNTAIN KEG Female Directors: Justin Stevenson and Diarmuid Connon HONEST AND FOCUSED 32:33 mins Female directors are New to the festival A cinematic telling of the true behind 23 of the are some amazingly story of the team that carried 47 short films being talented directors the first ever full keg of stout screened at this year’s including Deborah up Carrauntoohil Mountain: festival showcasing Grimes with a story the first and highest poured their talents in drama, about new beginnings pint in Ireland. comedy, animation, and and a transformative documentary. We are Yellow Dress, Laoisa delighted to welcome Sexton’s The Lucky back Roisin Kearney Man bringing lonely with Paddy, a heart bar flies and runaway tugging family story brides together for an of love and 70’s punk afternoon and Ayla THE FERRY rock; Natasha Waugh Amano with 4 X 4 with We Don’t Choose and how two sisters Niall Mckay How, a small love story with vastly different 25:00 mins to a lost love and Claire personalities view living A short mystery and heartfelt Bryne with two films in rural Ireland. Short drama that explores the Sister This a story of filmmaking is truly an themes of secrecy, family, love and determination art form onto itself and loss and regeneration set and Ascending Grace these filmmakers, along against the backdrop of the about a young pilot who with the other 16 female mother and baby homes in would love to impress directors, have created small town Ireland. the captain on her first shorts that are exciting, “The Ferry” was long listed for day, please don’t jump thoughtful, and honest. the 2021 Academy Awards, Congratulations to Niall & Roisin. to any conclusions.

19 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 4

Life Lessons Exploring, risking, imagining, encouraging in a world that can seem big and small at the same time. Trailers | Tickets

FISHERMAN KICKABOUT A CAT CALLED JAM Narae Kim/Lewis Barfoot Nigel Bunyan Lorraine Lordan 5:00 mins 3:04 mins 8:10 mins Fisherman’ follows a young 10-year-old Jan is home A cat, named Jam, tangles girl’s mission to discover alone missing his friends with three dogs over some her ancestor’s land where during the lockdown. butcher scraps. When they she discovers her gift for Tired of playing football by chase him into the park, he shapeshifting and awakens himself he heads to the park. meets Treacle who has a her true power within. vastly different view on the lives of cats and dogs.

SHIELDING NICO CAT MINI HUGH Maire Campbell Mark Jackson Liam McMahon 14:50 mins 2:00 mins 9:00 mins Matt opens the door to A child goes on an An oblivious Australian find his young son Nico extremely scary adventure. nephew has a yarn with has come to live with him. his stern Irish uncle over Reclusive and depressed a cuppa tea. Matt struggles to cope, but Covid-19, the lockdown and shielding Nico changes his outlook on life.

20 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 4

Thank You to Our 2020 Festival Venues

4X4 THE FIRST STEP Please support these Ayla Amano Emma Cummings wonderful indy theaters 15:00 mins 4:37 mins through their Virtual In rural Ireland, a simple A young girl attempting to Screening Portals and decision pushes two teenage better the world by recycling reservations are available sisters to contemplate their a glass jar embarks on an for socially distant dining at future and their ties to the adventure where’s she is the beautiful Theater on the family farm. faced with the effects of Lake: Lakefront Restaurant. climate change in the form of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

PADDY GETTING IN Roisin Kearney Richard Keaney 13:11 m i n s 9:18 mins It’s the late 70’s in London When his son is turned and a new generation is away from his favorite asking questions and finding band’s gig for being answers, It’s called PUNK, underage, a dedicated dad and it doesn’t matter what is determined to getting him you are or where you’re from. in one way or another.

21 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 5

Surprises The good, the bad and the totally unexpected. Trailers | Tickets

AT HEART AND SOUL A BETTER YOU EXPIRY DATE Greta Steinberg and Eamonn Murphy Karolina Kraus Jorinde Weinmann 15:58 mins 3:27 mins 3:33 mins Set in a dystopian Seán and Aoife’s plan for A little Irish girl shares her Neo-Steampunk World, an online date unravels love for her home country in Douglas a shy introvert before it even begins with a self-written poem about enlists the help of “A Better Aoife’s co-worker caught Ireland celebrating the You” a customizable in the middle. power of imagination, the carbon clone to help him longing for freedom, and win the girl of his dreams. the courage to look beyond A futuristic Cyrano? one’s own limitations.

Covid Stories: LOVE, SANITY AND REALITY Scattered throughout this year’s five shorts programs GROW OLD are eight Covid stories, some personal like Michael- WITH ME David McKernan who was forced to quarantined J.J. McDowell with his new girlfriend of two weeks in How To Fall 6:46 mins in Love in a Pandemic to surviving covid alone in A young couple gets news Sohaila Lindheim’s calendar checking 60 Days of that they might not be able Hell while some filmmakers went for the lighter side to grow old together, so like David Phillips’ The Last Performance to entertain they pretend to have their his little sister or Nick Hales’ animated Stay Home, 40th Anniversary. Stay Safe, Stay Sane? which obviously he didn’t! But, in all the stories ones sees hope.

22 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com SHORTS PROGRAM 5

SIGN OF THE TIMES TYRE KICKERS WET & SOPPY Amy-Joyce Hastings Danny McCafferty Cliona Noonan 1:00 min 12:27 min 4:02 mins Signs of Covid or A determined Barry scours A weather-tormented man Covid signs? the length and breadth of the who just wants to dry his On February 29th Ireland country trying to find a Ford underwear is forced to use had its first diagnosed case Capri, but not just any Capri, the local laundromat, but of Covid-19. but the model his father had the weather can change. to sell when his mother fell pregnant with him.

THE WIDOW AN IRISH THE YELLOW Ailish Castillo and UNDERDOG STORY DRESS Nicola Morris Johnathan Farrelly Deborah Grimes 13:12 mins 3:51 mins 14:58 mins Ireland, 1952, a young ‘All Ireland Final Day’ of To help her mother regain mother’s cry for help in a Baltinglass on March 17th, her joie de vivre after man’s world where silence 1990. The club made history having breast cancer is a virtue. and become the lowest Aisling, 14, sets her up ranked team to ever win the on what she believes will Club All Ireland, an honor be the ‘perfect date’. that they still have to this day.

23 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com PARTNER PROGRAMS

Amazing Animation The Chicago Irish Film Festival in partnership with Dublin Animation Film Festival presents a special program of family friendly films created by some of Ireland’s most talented animators. Specially curated by the festival’s director, Fionnghuala Ní Néill, the program will also include, “In Conversation” with Niall Murphy, managing editor of Scannain, Jam Media’s, Jessica Patterson, Bolder Media’s Rob AFTER YOU Cullen, and award-winning author and animator, Damian O’Connor | 2012 Kristina Yee, discussing how the process works and 60 years in the life of a how they got started. Recommended for children 8 Dublin doorman as he and up. Recommended for children 8 and up. 90 mins watches the city he loves change.

BRIGHT SIDE THE BEEKEEPER DON’T FORGET Dylan Cooper and Robyn Conroy | 2019 THE BREAD Gary Gill | 2016 Natasha Walsh | 2018 Deep in the heart of a The story of a broken bamboo forest, a paternal Dublin, 1916 Rising, and teapot, who’s flaws help bear watches over Mae, a 4 young Flanagans must him realize his purpose is spirited young girl that he stay safe together. But most more than just making tea. is raising. importantly, ’Don’t forget the bread’!

24 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Dublin Animation Film Festival

FAR ISLE MEOWNGREL RAWR Laura Robinson | 2019 Sophie Kinsella | 2016 Sorcha McGinley | 2020 A film about emigration, new An abandoned puppy is One little girl is faced with experiences, and meeting rescued by a mother cat a major disappointment new people changes how and does the best they during lockdown. you see the world. can to fit in.

RUSLAN SHOOT STREETS OF FURY Jack McHugh and Connor Rory Conway | 2015 Aidan McAteer | 2019 McNally | 2020 An assassination attempt on Max Punchface likes to Ruslan is a young boy in a president is serendipitously punch and kick things, Soviet Russia who dreams foiled by a pigeon. but life changes when he of being a cowboy. lands in the calm world of Sheepland.

THE VOYAGE TO THE STARS UNHINGED Jessica Patterson | 2020 Gemma McGivern | 2020 Tom Caulfield | 2016 A heartwarming rendition An animated film about The squeaky hinge gets of the song ‘The Voyage’, Dr. Norah Patten, Ireland’s the oil. But when the by a cocooning Christy first female astronaut. squeak escapes the oil Moore in the height of the its sure to get you! Covid-19 crisis of 2020.

25 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Dublin Animation Film Festival

In a Conversation With

KRISTINA YEE JESSICA PATTERSON ROBERT CULLEN Harvard and National Jessica is a director and Emmy nominated, Robert Film & Television School animator with Jam Media. Cullen is the creative graduate, Kristina Yee, is Jessica produced The director and founder of a screenwriter, animator Voyage with Christy Moore Boulder Media. Boulder and author of the award- in aid of RTÉ Does Comic is one of Ireland’s largest winning Miss Todd film and Relief 2020; and directed animation studios working book. Kristina has written the festive short Mistletoe on shows such as Foster’s for shows such as Kiva and Stubbs (2020) which Home for Imaginary Can Do for Nickelodeon, she created and directed Friends, The Amazing and Space Chickens in as part of RTÉ’s Shorts Yule World of Gumball and Space for Disney, her Love series. Transformers. Rob was episode ‘Food Fight’ instrumental in the reboot receiving a Best Writer NIAL MURPHY of 80’s classic, Danger for an Animated Series Niall Murphy is the Mouse for CBBC directing nomination at the 2019 managing editor of 72 episodes and is currently Irish Animation Awards. Scannain, one of Ireland’s directing his first feature film Kristina has several foremost screen industry based on My Little Pony to projects in development publications. He works be released in 2021. including Goat Girl (co- as Head of Business & created with Shannon Legal Affairs and Inward FIONNGHUALA George), with Daily Production at award-winning NÍ NEIL Madness Productions. Irish production company Fionnaghuala is the Treasure Entertainment. He director and founder the is also a board member of Dublin Animation Film of Raising Films and a Festival and a member of passionate advocate of the Directorate of Creativity, equality and diversity in the Innovation and Research Irish screen industry. at Media Cube at Dun Laoghaire- Institute of Art, Design & Technology, in Dublin, Ireland.

26 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Virgin Media: Dublin International FF

Playback X DIFF : Irish Hip Hop + R&B

A dynamic programme of the best The program includes the music and contemporary Irish Hip Hop + R&B music video talents of Tolü Makay Wild Thing; videos in Ireland today. Curated for BiigPiig Don’t Turn Around; James Vincent the 2021 Festival by producer Michael McMurrow Gone; and Denise Chaila Duel Donnelly V and musician Erica Cody, Citizenship and the filmmaking talents Playback presents 12 music videos of Gar 0’Rourke, Georgia Kelly, Sam alongside specially-recorded interviews McGrath (Kojaque’s Shmelly), Nathan with the featured film directors and music Barlow (Jafaris’ If You Love Me), and Ellius artists. This project showcases the vibrant, Grace (Loah & Bartum April Brave). energetic creativity of the talents involved 80 mins | Tickets and gives them a platform to discuss their process, style and collaborations.

This screening available in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin only.

27 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Green Ray Film Agency

Inside the Industry Recently founded Green Ray Film Agency flies the flag for new cinema working with Irish filmmaking talent to connect their work with international audiences. The Chicago Irish Film Festival is delighted to welcome Green Way Film Agency co-founders Mick Hannigan, Una Feely and Peter Zemek to the festival presenting five U.S. premiers from their catalogue followed by a conversation with award winning actress and first-time director Eva Birthistle and award winning directors Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn about the indie film scene in Cork and getting your film in front of an audience. 90 mins | Tickets

ROUGH SPREAD THE WINGS Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson Alice McDowell 13 mins | U.S. Premiere 11 min | U.S. Premiere In contemporary Belfast a young man Sisters Maggie and Nora are from the Irish faces retribution for the transgressions of Traveller community—an indigenous nomadic his beloved dog. Rough is a film about ethnic minority group. Although forced off a dog sentenced to death by gangsters, the road in the 1980s with the introduction of but it’s also a film about those who have anti-trespass legislation, Maggie and Nora been forgotten by Northern Ireland’s still travel back to Connemara every summer peace process. to rekindle Declan Lawn spent ten years as an their connection with the land. investigative reporter for BBC Panorama. Alice McDowell is a documentary filmmaker Adam Patterson spent years working as working both locally and internationally a photojournalist on such award-winning on the subject of minority rights. Alice has programmes such as the BBC’s Panorama created films with different cultural and and Unreported World. Adam and community groups, including Mother & Baby Declan have been selected by Screen home survivors, Muslim feminists, LGBTI International as Stars of Tomorrow 2020. activists, asylum seekers and the Traveller Best Irish Short Film, Kerry International community. Alice is originally from Australia Film Festival 2020. and now lives and works in Galway. Spirit of the Festival Award, Catalyst Women’s Film Festival 2020.

28 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Green Ray Film Agency

KATHLEEN FLICKER HUNGER WAS HERE Luke Daly/Nathan Fagan Mark Dollard Eva Birthistle 20 min | U.S. Premiere 9 mins | U.S. Premiere 10 mins | U.S. Premiere Moving through the house A heroin addict is pursued Kathleen is 18 and alone. parties, nightclubs and bars by a menacing figure. The system has no place of today’s Dublin, Flicker Using the tropes of horror for her now. This visually explores the pressures of cinema and vampire lore arresting and emotionally contemporary masculinity, to show the human side of taught tale depicts ongoing exploring ways in which drug addiction, providing problems surrounding young men navigate an insight into the mind of young adults who age trauma, mental health and someone driven by a demon. out of care and their emotional vulnerability. Graduate of the Colaiste struggle to ‘fit in’. Luke Daly and Nathan Dhulaigh/Wolverhampton Eva Birthistle is a multi- Fagan are a directing University Film Production award-winning actress. duo of commercials, short degree, 2016 Winner of Her 25-year career in narratives, and music the 2017 Ronan Phelan film has seen her working videos. Best Irish Short Film, Screenwriting Award at with directors Ken Loach, Cork Film Festival 2020. the Indie Cork Film Festival. Neil Jordan, John Crowley and Peter Greenaway to name a few. She has been nominated 8 times and won 6, including the prestigious London Critics Circle Film Award, 3 IFTAS and an EFP Shooting Star Award.

29 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com ABOUT US

Annual festival of the best independent films created in the past year by Irish filmmakers working around the world and filmmakers working in Ireland. For over two decades the festival has strived to create a program of inclusion that supports and celebrates diverse voices of Irish storytelling in animation, documentary, and live action in both short and feature lengths. The Chicago Irish Film Festival’s passion for supporting Irish film and filmmakers translates into a commitment to broadening it reach though marketing and social media to reach audiences in Chicago and beyond.

Our Board and Staff BOARD OF ADVISORY FESTIVAL STAFF DIRECTORS COMMITTEE • Mark Bettenhousen, • Michael Nix • Aris Byrne graphic design • Christopher • Ferdia Doherty • Ayman Hishmeh, Kamyszew • Imelda Gallagher video production • Benjamin Nitka • Edward Galvin • Christopher Janikas, • Colleen Doherty • Angela McLaughlin video production • John McEnaeny • Chris Matusek, design FESTIVAL DIRECTOR • Laura Slonskis, design • Jude Blackburn

Screenings available within the United States unless noted otherwise.

Supporting Irish Heritage The Chicago Irish Film Festival is a partner of IFI International. The programme, run by the Irish Film Institute and supported by Culture Ireland, aims to strategically build an audience for Irish film through worldwide cultural exhibition. “IFI International support is being provided thanks to Culture Ireland’s grant-aid of IFI International activity.” ifi.ie/irish-film/international | cultureireland.ie

30 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Festival Sponsors

Festival Donors • Audrie Rewerts • Kate & Pat Coughlin • Dermot Collins & • Rosie O’Neil • Lois & Nick Kendellen Sarah McCarthy • Ciara Proctor • Coleen & Kevin Doherty • Edward Galvin & • Patrick Blackburn • Roxanne & Michael Nix Daniel Paul • Irene & Joe King • Angela McLaughlin • Hilary & Ben Nitka & Declan McGovern

31 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com Screenings available within the United States unless noted otherwise.

chicagoirishfilmfestival.com | #ChicagoIrishFF [email protected]